Re: Self-study of Mathematics

From the list below, what is the most effective way to do a deep, self-study of math?

-answering math questions in forums
-learning from a textbook chapter by chapter
-learning from watching math video clips on youtube?
-help from in-person tutoring service

Notice I did not list returning to school. This is about increasing personal math skills without going to college.
What do you honestly think about a self-study of math?

As I have been studying on my own for the better part of 15 years I'd say all five courses of action would be great. It's not just about the text or how often you study it's also about making sure you are getting the best benefit of your time. I've gotten to the point where I'm only studying one topic at a time. I think the best approach is to spend lots and lots of time with the text and asking questions to anyone who is capable of correcting you or giving you advice.

I'd also like to say that, depending on the material, you might well find that you can only get through the text so far. That's when some sort of tutoring (or an online forum or such) is probably your best bet.

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

The forum is for enrichment. But it could a learning tool depending how much time you spare for it.
Learning from textbook depending how much time you spend on it and and what book you are using. Most of math book are not written at respectable level, and many of them contains many errors, or false pretenses.
Watching video for pass time. Keep in mind learning mathematics is a love story movie
Person to person is good but you will need a good bood and it is very expensive.

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

You said something interesting--studying one topic at a time. For example, if you decide to review the law of sines, how much time is sufficient time for you to move into a new topic after the law of sines? Another question: Why have you been studying math on your own for 15 years? Do you have a goal in mind? Is math just a passion? Is it a hobby? Thanks....

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

Originally Posted by votan

The forum is for enrichment. But it could a learning tool depending how much time you spare for it.
Learning from textbook depending how much time you spend on it and and what book you are using. Most of math book are not written at respectable level, and many of them contains many errors, or false pretenses.
Watching video for pass time. Keep in mind learning mathematics is a love story movie
Person to person is good but you will need a good bood and it is very expensive.

I find that many textbooks contain errors in the answer section of the book. I also dislike the fact that many, if not all, only contain odd number answers. I love the David Cohen Pre-calculus textbook. The questions are challengingly fun. Are you familiar with David Cohen?

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

Originally Posted by nycmath

You said something interesting--studying one topic at a time. For example, if you decide to review the law of sines, how much time is sufficient time for you to move into a new topic after the law of sines? Another question: Why have you been studying math on your own for 15 years? Do you have a goal in mind? Is math just a passion? Is it a hobby? Thanks....

As it happens I'm reasonably good at Math, but I like Physics more. Due to medical problems I haven't been able to complete a PhD in Physics so I've been studying Physics on my own. I've been leaning heavily toward Mathematical Physics for a long time now and being into Quantum Mechanics I need lots of Math ability. My ultimate goal is to work up to a proficient level of knowledge in String Theory, which is about as Math intensive as any field in Physics that I've ever encountered. (Fluid Mechanics is either a close second or worse. It's nasty!) So I've been going back and forth studying Math and Physics.

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

Dan,

I admire your passion for math and physics. I also like physics. I just love equations. I have two college degrees from two different CUNY schools in areas other than math. My greatest mistake was not to major in math. I will forever regret not majoring in something that I love.

Just like you, I help students with math questions in various forums. However, there are questions and topics that I have forgotten how to do. That is why I joined this great site. Most of the questions I post here will be from textbooks. I have several math books covering algebra, geometry, trig, calculus 1 and 2. I am learning calculus on my own. Right now, I am reviewing the product rule. Very cool stuff.

The other day, my friend requested math help for her daughter in 9th grade. My mistake was to upload a picture of a math homework sheet revealing her name. I noticed that you became a little upset about my double posting. I really would like my recent uploaded pictures deleted. God forbid that my friend or her daughter should visit this site and see her name on the internet. I could get in trouble. I love helping students online.

Lastly, I will post questions covering high school algebra through my self-study of calculus. Like I said before, I am learning calculus on my own and having lots of fun. Why take out a school loan at age 48 to take courses I can learn on my own with help from sites like this one? What do you say?

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

Originally Posted by nycmath

I find that many textbooks contain errors in the answer section of the book. I also dislike the fact that many, if not all, only contain odd number answers. I love the David Cohen Pre-calculus textbook. The questions are challengingly fun. Are you familiar with David Cohen?

I just had the chance tu peruse through it. I don't know if more than a thousand pages are justified for a pre-calculus book.

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

If I had the opportunity to teach a math course, it would undoubtedly be pre-calculus. This course covers a little bit of everything taught in high school in preparation for calculus 1. The topics in pre-calculus are sufficiently interesting and challenging. Pre-calculus questions are cool. It covers trigonometry as well. It covers matrix algebra. It covers geometry and college algebra.

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

For learning methods including ways to help retaining learned material it might be helpful to look at this blog which is buy a guy who learned MIT's four year computer science course in one year using their free online course material. Here is his youtube channel as well which is partly methods of learning and partly progress updates Scott Young - YouTube

Re: Self-study of Mathematics

As a tutor, I would say you can't beat one-to-one interaction and learning (my biased view of course), but self study is easier now than it used to be because of the Internet/technology etc. I think YouTube and online videos are fantastic for learning mathematics.